Sometimes regular old water just doesn't cut it. We spoke to the experts at ChickRx about all things sports drinks — what to look for, what to avoid, and when to drink them!

Why You Need 'Em

Why You Need 'Em

When we sweat we lose water and electrolytes, and need something other than water to replace them — which is where sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade come in. But, you shouldn’t just drink them for the sake of it — that’s a lot of extra sugar and calories if you’re not exercising hard enough to balance them out. If you exercise less than an hour or your intensity is low, water is enough!

What You Do Need

What You Do Need

Navigating the nutrition labels of sports drinks can get a little tricky, but we’re here to help! First, look for two main things: The primary electrolytes to look for — which help with major functions like muscle contraction, maintaining fluid balance, and keeping your heart beating — are sodium (600 to700 mg per liter) and potassium (800 mg to two grams per liter). And for energy replenishment, you’ll need a combo of carbohydrates like glucose, sucrose, and fructose.